Move was completed successfully on Friday. My daughter packed for over 4 days (some of them she worked so only in the evenings) and I packed with her for 2 days. No way to avoid packing the last minute stuff right before the movers showed up (bedding etc.)
Things went very smoothly - the movers were on time, very professional, and took good care of all her possessions. We did three car runs with stuff that she felt was too fragile or valuable to have them pack in the truck (including cold food).
The movers didn’t have a second wardrobe box for us so half the clothes moved using the black garbage bag trip. We ended up with a bunch of open first boxes (bedding, bathroom stuff, cup to drink from, etc. ) which worked well. By end of move day (3 of us working to unpack) the bedroom, bathroom, and internet/cable were set up. By the end of day two (by herself) kitchen was set up.
Move day I climbed 26 flights of stairs according to my iphone (and boy did my legs feel it).
Yay. Glad it’s done. I hear you. When I packed up my kid’s place, she was moving only to another apartment in her complex. But both places were on the second floor. We hired movers for the boxes and furniture, but I moved clothes, pictures, kitchen and bathroom “stuff” that was going to the new place. Yes…lots of up and down stairs. Your timeline sounds about like mine!
Very timely thread! My D’s lease is up next Sunday and on Friday she decided that the construction going on outside her window (and she is on the 25th floor of a Brooklyn high-rise) is intolerable given that she is working from home. So, yesterday, we (clad in double masks and careful to stay 6 feet away from leasing people) saw 9 apartments. She chose one, negotiated a very favorable rent and amenity package (like 4 months free rent - NYC is crazy for rentals right now), and will move on Friday. She called the movers who did her last move and they are available for a short notice move, especially since she’s moving all of 3 blocks.
Last time, we (well, really me) packed everything and they just did the move but she is contemplating having them pack her stuff this time. Given that she is working from home and my week is pretty free, it seems crazy to pay for that since I saved the packing stuff from last time. We’ll see how far I get. I’d also rather she not be in the apartment with others any longer than she has to be. These guys quote a flat fee for the move (pretty reasonable), include insurance and were really good last time so we’re just going to do the easiest thing given the timeframe.
My daughter was pretty paranoid about strangers touching all her stuff during the move during a pandemic. She would never have let them pack her stuff for her (and spend that much time in her apartment with her.) She also only trusted herself (not me or my husband let alone movers) to handle her most favorite breakable stuff.
As it is, she was worried about us being there helping her, having contact with the movers and being in a hotel, etc. We did keep the windows open during the move and everybody wore masks. Being in a hotel in what is usually a busy city was pretty bizarre. it felt like we were the only guest there.
In the interest of safety and cost, I’ll be packing, starting tomorrow. She really doesn’t have that much (I’ve packed her twice previously) and she needs to work while I’m there. I also agree, @kiddie, that no one wants movers in the space for as long as it would take to pack her stuff, minimal as it is. Move is scheduled for Saturday and the goal is for them to get in and out of both apartments as quickly and efficiently as possible. The buildings and the moving companies have Covid rules and we, too, will be keeping all windows open at all times. Good news with all of this is that landlords in NYC are desperate to rent and the whole thing, from first viewing to move-in, will be accomplished in 7 days.